Monthly Archives: April 2015

Boho Florals

20th April 2015
I know, florals in Spring, what a cliche? It doesn’t matter what other trends and prints are about, as soon as the weather turns it’s florals I’m drawn to most. This was a weekend outfit from a couple of weeks ago, the sun was shining but there was still a distinct chill in the air- I’m longing to get sandals on my feet but sometimes boots are very much required.
Dress and Boots both from Zara
I picked this dress up about three years ago in the Zara sale. I can’t remember how much I paid for it but it was under a tenner and I love it as much now as I did then- I don’t think I’ll ever part with it. The floral print and floaty style fit perfectly with the seventies trend for this Spring, and despite being casual and comfortable I always feel quite feminine and girly when I wear it.

The boots are a pair I bought thinking I’d live in them over the winter. Alas, I for some reason ignored them for most of the season, sticking to my old faithful flat black boots instead. Now the weather is (mostly) drier I feel I can get the best out of the suede finish and neutral colour- these were really reasonable at £29.99 and I am pretty certain I’ll get a couple of years from them at least.

I try to keep away from Zara as much as possible because it’s impossible not to fall in love with at least a dozen pieces at any one time. Even breaking my foot in a store in Holland hasn’t been enough to dampen my desire to own everything they stock- I do envy bloggers who can afford to shop in there more than once in a blue moon!

P.S. I have NO idea why my eyes are shut in one of the photos, clearly the sunshine is making me feel quite zen.

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Posted in life stuff, outfits, shoes, shopping

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The Spring Shoe Edit

18th April 2015
Well, for someone who has a bit of an obsession with footwear I’ve certainly been slacking on the shoe front. I put myself on some kind of ban when it came to browsing to be honest as I own so many pairs I have nowhere left to store them- but a recent cull of my collection has seem some space come up under my bed/in my wardrobe so I’ve let myself have a sneaky browse of what the high street has to offer. I can look but not touch, right?
Jones Bootmaker has one of my favourite selection so far. I seem to have (mostly) moved on from my love of crazy footwear, this season I’m craving neutral, pretty but practical pieces that will take me from work to play in one fell swoop.

I think the Jennie heeled sandals are my ideal transitional Spring shoe- pretty enough and smart enough to wear with a dress for the office, but casual enough to team with skinny jeans and a seventies style top. I’m smitten!

I’ve popped a selection of my favourite styles above, which one would you most like to add to your collection?

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Posted in shoes, wish list

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Candy Crush

17th April 2015
Over the Easter long weekend we were spoilt with the first real taste of Spring weather and by the Monday I was finally persuaded out of my monochrome/denim based outfits and in to something more colourful. Every blogger and their dog bought this skirt last Summer when it hit Primark, it’s not often I buy in to something like that but there is something so irresistibly cheerful about bubblegum pink and the perfect midi length. Actually, of everything I’ve ever bought from Primark this is the poorest quality and I fear it might not last another year…you win some you lose some!

Jumper: Topshop (last year love this as an alternative) | Skirt: Primark | Converse via Sarenza

I’m not sure why I look so grumpy in these photos- it was a Monday where I didn’t have to be in work and the sun was out! Life’s been a bit like that lately, I don’t have any reason to be feeling so rubbish and yet a lot of the time I do…fingers crossed that now the weather is on the turn for a good stretch of time things will start to lift.

One way to shift some of the blues is definitely to dress is more colour, thankfully with a Birthday in 11 days I’ll soon have an excuse to go forth and shop and stock up on some bright and beautiful pieces. Mum and I are heading to Cardiff for the day on the 28th April, do let me know where I need to check out (or indeed where to avoid!)

I hope you’re feeling suitably spring-like…

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits

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Getting my Craft On

15th April 2015
I used to be a really crafty person. Every gift and card I gave was handmade and I’d never say no to trying anything. These days I lack the time and motivation to put as much in to arts and crafts but it’s something I will always enjoy and when Sykes Cottages got in touch to let me know about a new campaign they were working on I was eager to get involved.

“At Sykes Cottages we understand that everyone goes on holiday for different reasons. Some people like to go exploring, some like to relax and unwind whilst some like to take the chance to learn a skill or try their hand at something new. Bearing this in mind, we recently worked alongside six very talented craft bloggers to create Simple Crafts: A Guide for Beginners.
Simple Crafts: A Guide for Beginners is an illustrated graphic guide featuring six simple craft tutorials that are easy to make, inexpensive and use little specialist equipment.”

Sykes sent along a really generous package packed full of everything I’d need to try out some of the crafts from the guide as well as some lovely teas and snacks to fuel the creativity. I was especially interested in the jewellery making element so I decided to try out the Spiral Earrings tutorial and also made a charm bracelet from a button craft kit.
I’ve always found working with wire tricky when it comes to jewellery and after many frustrated attempts at getting the perfect spiral (my hand-eye coordination is terrible) I decided to freestyle it and made some very un-spiralled earrings that I still love. This isn’t a fault against the guide though, it’s just me! The instructions are clear and easy to follow and as someone who has done a lot of beadwork in the past I’d say it’s suitable for everyone from complete beginner to prolific beader.

The bracelet was really satisfying to make as this is what I used to do most of when I had the time and patience. I spent a happy couple of hours working on this over the bank holiday weekend and managed to really chill out and escape the stresses of life for a while.

With that, I’ve been reminded just how relaxing creating something new is so I really am going to make more time to do what I love and learn some new skills. Next on my list is candle making with the kit pictured above, I’ll let you know how that turns out!

What are your favourite ways to relax and unwind?

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Posted in craft, jewellery

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Spring Monochrome

13th April 2015
In a bid to cheer myself up, a few weeks ago I raided my piggy bank and took myself to Primark in search of some new Spring pieces for my wardobe. I had visions of flowing Seventies style dresses with a smattering of prints and colours, but what actually happened was I came away with a bag full of monochrome (and some pretty snazzy PJs).
Top, Culottes & Shoes all Primark
I mentioned before my current obsession with culottes and I was after a plain black pair to wear to work. These cost £8 and are so light and comfortable to wear. Add a smart top and some heeled sandals and you have my ideal Spring office look.

Tops were also a priority item having realised I own plenty of skirts but have very little to pair them with that isn’t either super long or super baggy. These high necked cream top was again £8 I think and a really lovely fit. It also comes in black which I’ll be heading in to get when I’ve been paid again.

The shoes were 100% not something I needed but at £6 I couldn’t leave them be. Actually, I did kind of need some flat shoes that aren’t trainers for out of work and these are super comfy and very out of my comfort zone. I’m always a bit wary of this style of shoe on me due to my feet being more flipper like than human but I think I’ll stick with these- I might even go wild and pick them up in another colour.

So as much as I love my new buys I’m still stuck with a lack of Spring type pieces in my wardobe, I’m going to have to stick more of my life on e-Bay (hello twenty pairs of shoes I’m yet to list) and have another traipse round the shops. I’ve also got a birthday coming up in two weeks and I’m going shopping then, this time I’ll divert myself from the black and white and head towards all things colour!

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits, shopping

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